Going on the road for the first time

[koi]

Ahh so I have my Learners' license and I'm wanting to hopefully go for just a wee bit of riding before Winter really sets in and rains all over my chances but I'm not really sure how to go about the transition from like... practicing in carparks to suddenly throwing myself on the road and into the path of numerous road hazards ahah ;v;

I guess I'm basically just wanting to know how people first started riding on the road after getting the license to do so because I'm not necessarily spooked or anything I just want to be able to start somewhere that's not too far out of my ability

Thanks for any and all help!! :~)

[Lelitu]

When I got started, I was lucky enough to live in a fairly quiet suburb
So I got started on street riding there, where there's fuckall traffic outside of rush hour.

From there, just kinda kept going further and into busier places.
gets way easier with a bit of experience.

[Lelitu]

Another bit of advice, this one I think *very* important.

you live in auckland, sooner or later you're going to take off riding on a wonderful lovely day
20 minutes later it will be pissing down, and now you have to get home.

get used to riding in the wet. it's neither that hard, nor really any more dangerous than riding in the dry so long as you remember a couple of things
every other driver is even worse than usual, the wet really brings out the dumbass in even the best drivers.
painted lines and metal things are slippery as fuck, so be really careful of them

if you've practiced, you'll be a lot safer riding home in the wet when the weather turns to shit and you don't have a choice.

[russd7]

Ahh so I have my Learners' license and I'm wanting to hopefully go for just a wee bit of riding before Winter really sets in and rains all over my chances but I'm not really sure how to go about the transition from like... practicing in carparks to suddenly throwing myself on the road and into the path of numerous road hazards ahah ;v;

I guess I'm basically just wanting to know how people first started riding on the road after getting the license to do so because I'm not necessarily spooked or anything I just want to be able to start somewhere that's not too far out of my ability

Thanks for any and all help!! :~)

most on here are so old that all they had to contend with was the occasional horse :wings:
jus take it quietly and remember ya road rules and treat all other road users are idiots and you will be fine,when i was slightly younger than what i am now i was told by so many people that i was a temporary citizen because i rode a motor cycle that i had to prove em wrong, working for me still after more than 30yrs riding

[rastuscat]

most on here are so old that all they had to contend with was the occasional horse :wings:
jus take it quietly and remember ya road rules and treat all other road users are idiots and you will be fine,when i was slightly younger than what i am now i was told by so many people that i was a temporary citizen because i rode a motor cycle that i had to prove em wrong, working for me still after more than 30yrs riding

Yeah, wot 'e said.

It's a joy once you gain some confidence, as long as your skill matches your ego.

[FJRider]

Yeah, wot 'e said.

It's a joy once you gain some confidence, as long as your skill matches your ego.

It's the OVER confidence that does the damage ... :blank:

[eldog]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/172064-New-rider-in-Auckland-(kiwi-on-wheels)

Above is good advice esp from Maha

ride your own ride

take responsibility for yourself

and speak up and ask questions

(you will get a standard KB reply, but there are OTHERS here who will offer good advice)

:niceone:

[russd7]

(you will get a standard KB reply, but there are OTHERS here who will offer good advice)

:niceone:

enter Cassina, stage left :facepalm:

[Murray]

Personally I would ignore all the group ride crap and go to something like this

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/174482-RSA-rides-of-respect?highlight=respect

and just ask a few people to help and ride with you

Its not a big ride and should be safe doing it.

Alternatively I think there are Thursday night learner rides in Auckland and Caseye would be the right person to contact re this

[neels]

Find someone experienced and safe to go riding with, who can provide positive constructive criticism.

Position yourself on the road as if you're sitting in the drivers seat of a car.

Assume everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Ride assertively so other people know what you're doing, half of them will be scared as you're a scary motorcyclist, have an escape plan for the rest.

[triplethumper]

Sooner or later you'll just have to take the plunge, start out on roads you know well and go at a pace that is comfortable for you. if there's traffic behind you just pull over and let them go rather than trying to go too fast, there's a lot to think about when riding and you need to concentrate far more than in a car but it becomes second nature quickly so try to get out riding as often as you can.
If you have someone experienced who will ride with you and give feedback on your riding that's great but I learnt on my own and it was fine.

[Gremlin]

I lived near the base of a peninsula so there was a network of roads I could play on, which I tried to do around mid morning, when traffic was at its quietest. I remember thinking that 40kph was plenty fast enough, and why would anyone want to go any faster. :lol:

If you've been practising in carparks, how did you get there (assuming it wasn't next door)? Mid morning is normally the quietest time, and try to keep to the quieter urban roads first. If traffic approaches from behind, you can always find a safe place to pull over and let them go. Once you've got to grips with controlling the bike in a more automatic fashion (ie, changing down as you approach an intersection and not leaving it in a high gear) then start on busier roads, traffic etc.

Yes, if possible, find someone experienced and they can help buffer traffic behind you. Learning to ride in winter isn't too bad, you start in the worst of conditions, rather than learning with more grip like in summer. I started in May...

Stay away from any group riding while you're learning, as they are complex environments, riders in closer than normal quarters and usually of varying behaviour, attitudes, riding ability etc.

[Rikard]

Best thing to do would be to jump on the bike and just go for it on roads as quiet as you can find. Having said that if you are a little worried read up on what actually makes the bike work. I must have watched twist of the wrist 2 about 10 times and read the book cover to cover twice before I really felt comfortable on the road.

[caspernz]

Stick to roads you know. Take short rides at first, and leave your ego at home. Be willing to just pull over and let other traffic scoot past. Quiet roads in Auckland? I'd suggest an industrial area on a sunday. As long as you don't ride beyond your ability, you'll quickly gain in confidence.

[Akzle]

get out of auckland. best advice i could give you...

i have a spare berth in my caravan :blip:

[Maha]

get out of auckland. best advice i could give you...

i have a spare berth in my caravan :blip:

Give it away knob cheese, didn't work with Juniper, what makes you think this one will be any different?

[gjm]

Take it easy. Don't be fussed by rain or wet. Pick a time when the traffic is as light as possible - first time you come across another moving vehicle can be worrying, but if you've done the carparks bit and know how to ride, you'll almost immediately be fine with it.

Do treat everyone else as blind, stupid, and hasn't seen you.

For your first long ride, go with one other experienced rider who you now, or at least feel comfortable riding with. You can follow them, which will make it easier first time out.

Don't get over confident.

Enjoy it. :)

[sidecar bob]

dont try to get your knee down for the first few months.

[MisterD]

Pick a time when the traffic is as light as possible

This. Early doors on a weekend and you can spend your time worrying about hitting cyclists rather than being hit by a car.

Alternatively, go get some 1-to-1 coaching with someone like Rider Training. $100 for an hour's worth of expert rider talking you through it is seriously good value for a newbie.

[Akzle]

Give it away knob cheese, didn't work with Juniper, what makes you think this one will be any different?

you are a sad, liitle, man.

[Reckless]

you are a sad, liitle, man.

He's right tho :bleh:

[Maha]

He's right tho :bleh:

He is 1/3 right in that, I am a man.

[Akzle]

He's right tho :bleh:

when ?

[PrincessBandit]

I started off (on a GN250) going around the block on quiet Sunday mornings when there was no traffic around. I was lucky that I had a large quiet carpark just down from my house and that was my favourite place to practice until building enough confidence to try on the road.

While most of us have probably had opportunities to ride with a trusted "other" as well, the main thing is to have your phone in your pocket (not a top box) and someone who knows the location and time of your solo outings in case you need rescuing. (Unlikely, but it's a nice back up).

PM me if you want someone to go for short rides with - I'm in South Auckland - and happy to travel to meet up. Alternatively, check out the members here with ME next to their name (mentor) and see who is in your area. :)

[Reckless]

Even if you go with a trusted other, keep within your skill set ie around the quiet streets of your home.
Make sure he or she knows it and only ups the anti from there once your controlling the clutch etc without having to think about it first ie your confidence is ready for it.

Case in Point.
I was coming along the motorway last year and there was a lady parked up against the curb ( no lane there) between the Ellerslie onramp and market road off ramp.
I thought she'd broken down so I stopped in my ute. She was a learner and following her boyfriend. She took a wrong turn onto the motorway and had to pull over because she was out of her depth (scared stiff).
Luckily I had another driver in the car, so I had to jamb her helmet on my head, chuck her in the passenger seat and we took her in the car and I rode her bike to her home.

Baby steps you'll be fine :)

[nodrog]

Thanks for all the advice peeps, I will Take my time and not rush into things.

lolz I didnt mean to start a internet fighting match.

[Banditbandit]

most on here are so old that all they had to contend with was the occasional horse :wings:
jus take it quietly and remember ya road rules and treat all other road users are idiots and you will be fine,when i was slightly younger than what i am now i was told by so many people that i was a temporary citizen because i rode a motor cycle that i had to prove em wrong, working for me still after more than 30yrs riding


Yeah, wot 'e said.

It's a joy once you gain some confidence, as long as your skill matches your ego.

Yeah, wot 'e said - except the old bit .. and in fact there are still horses ridden around our area, both urban and rural. So after 40+ years of riding I'm still dodging horses..

[russd7]

Yeah, wot 'e said - except the old bit .. and in fact there are still horses ridden around our area, both urban and rural. So after 40+ years of riding I'm still dodging horses..

funnily enough i learnt to ride in BOP, spent a fair amount of time riding to and then through the forestry between Te Puke and rotorua, also used to go through to kawerau and surrounding areas, with quite a few trips down to the nake once i got rid of the xr250 and on to the xl500, ahhhh them were the days :niceone:

[koi]

Ahh wonderful thankyou so much everyone!!

I'm hopefully going to NASS today if my dad's convinced it's not an underground dogfighting ring or anything so that should be good :~)

[Gadget1]

Ahh wonderful thankyou so much everyone!!

I'm hopefully going to NASS today if my dad's convinced it's not an underground dogfighting ring or anything so that should be good :~)


Doesn't TheDemonLord go there though? It might not pay to mention that...

[varminter]

It was so much easier in my day, we had a man with a red flag to walk in front. That was after the tree hours getting the steam up.

[TheDemonLord]

Doesn't TheDemonLord go there though? It might not pay to mention that...

If my guess is correct - She would be the one that I helped with a counter-steering exercise - following her on my 'Busa - she started to get the hang of it

[koi]

If my guess is correct - She would be the one that I helped with a counter-steering exercise - following her on my 'Busa - she started to get the hang of it

That's me :~) Thankyou for that by the way!!

[eldog]

counter-steering exercise

I cant make it to NASS. Its too far away at present - time/license wise

I still got no idea about countersteering. I understand it, but i dont seem to do it.

maybe a bit stupid.

Any exercise in particular?

does it help if its a bigger bike?

suggestions

[Latte]

The road is dangerous, buy a pushbike, and an R1 for me, I'll let you know how it goes.

[Moi]

... I still got no idea about countersteering. I understand it, but i don't seem to do it... suggestions


Have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFm3honeTQo

It might help.

[Reckless]

If my guess is correct - She would be the one that I helped with a counter-steering exercise - following her on my 'Busa - she started to get the hang of it


That's me :~) Thankyou for that by the way!!


Have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFm3honeTQo

It might help.

Oh dear The counter steering myth at its very worst :brick:
So this guy is constantly counter steering right through every corner he takes?
Basically opposite locking, forcing the bike to do something un-natural in every corner that the bike goes round???

I hope to hell no one is teaching new riders to do that FFS

[Moi]

Oh dear The counter steering myth at its very worst :brick:
So this guy is constantly counter steering right through every corner he takes?
Basically opposite locking, forcing the bike to do something un-natural in every corner that the bike goes round???

I hope to hell no one is teaching new riders to do that FFS

We await your explanation of "the counter steering myth at its very worst"

and why not to teach new riders to do it?

[Reckless]

Mate I dont want to come across as a know it all and usually steer (pun) away from these debates on KB.
But teaching new riders whats in that vid as a normal way to ride imho is wrong.

A lot of typing I don't have time for but we all know you have to countersteer briefly to initiate a turn and thats the only countersteering that is generally required.

[eldog]

Mate I dont want to come across as a know it all and usually steer (pun) away from these debates on KB.
But teaching new riders whats in that vid as a normal way to ride imho is wrong.

A lot of typing I don't have time for but we all know you have to countersteer briefly to initiate a turn and thats the only countersteering that is generally required.

I haven't looked at vid just yet - got weekend for that stuff

I understand what you say about starting a turn via counter steering

So I am going to look elsewhere (KB & web) about what to do mid corner if I got the start of the corner wrong (noob all over the place at the moment)


I didn't expect to hijack the thread :facepalm:

[MisterD]

I still got no idea about countersteering. I understand it, but i dont seem to do it.

maybe a bit stupid.

Any exercise in particular?

does it help if its a bigger bike?

suggestions

It works for pushbikes just the same, and yeah things differ a bit there because the footpegs go round and the lycra brigade don't talk about "countersteering", but they do know that fast cornering is about putting your weight on your outside pedal and inside bar and it is countersteering that they're doing.



We await your explanation of "the counter steering myth at its very worst" and why not to teach new riders to do it?

Anyone who starts an explanation of countersteering without talking about gyroscopes doesn't understand what's happening.

[TheDemonLord]

Mate I dont want to come across as a know it all and usually steer (pun) away from these debates on KB.
But teaching new riders whats in that vid as a normal way to ride imho is wrong.

A lot of typing I don't have time for but we all know you have to countersteer briefly to initiate a turn and thats the only countersteering that is generally required.

So, then you agree, you need to Countersteer to turn the bike (because one cannot turn without initiating said turn) - although if we want to be pedants - you use countersteering to adjust the lean angle of the bike, and then the difference in circumference between the inner edge of the tyre in contact with the road and the middle of the tyre in contact with the road (because the tyre is curved) is what turns the bike.

[The End]

My understanding is, and has always been, that whether you are new to riding or have been riding 10 years, you know how to countersteer as there is no other way to turn a bike at speed.

Now, whether you are aware that you are countersteering or you know how to do it properly is another question.

[Reckless]

So, then you agree, you need to Countersteer to turn the bike (because one cannot turn without initiating said turn) - although if we want to be pedants - you use countersteering to adjust the lean angle of the bike, and then the difference in circumference between the inner edge of the tyre in contact with the road and the middle of the tyre in contact with the road (because the tyre is curved) is what turns the bike.



My understanding is, and has always been, that whether you are new to riding or have been riding 10 years, you know how to countersteer as there is no other way to turn a bike at speed.

Now, whether you are aware that you are countersteering or you know how to do it properly is another question.

Demon you have got it sussed and you are correct its the second part I don't agree with.
Correct also TheEnd.

I have to go down and put a new rear tyre on the road bike and do a bit on the race bike i'm building. Normally I stay clear of these discussions because there is really no completely wrong answer. I simply don't agree that learners need to learn to counter steer right through a corners as normal riding practice for many reasons. I dont agree that it is good practice for us either. But since I have opened this thorny subject when I have time I may write down my thoughts from what i have learned over 40 years of riding and superbike school etc. Mainly because I believe the over use of countersteering is not a safe way to ride and not a safe way to learn to ride.
But there is a fair bit of typing to put forward a logical well reasoned case for why not.

[MisterD]

So, then you agree, you need to Countersteer to turn the bike (because one cannot turn without initiating said turn) - although if we want to be pedants - you use countersteering to adjust the lean angle of the bike, and then the difference in circumference between the inner edge of the tyre in contact with the road and the middle of the tyre in contact with the road (because the tyre is curved) is what turns the bike.

The wheel is a gyroscope, and gyroscopes translate applied torque through 90 degrees, so counter steering isn't actually turning the wheel, the torque you apply to the bar, due to the gyroscopic effect, leans the wheel over.

[Swoop]

Sat & Sunday mornings are nice and quiet for getting out on the roads. Ride in the right hand wheel track of your lane (don't get pushed into the left one as cars will attempt to pass you when you least expect it).
Think ahead and keep your eyes moving, scan constantly.

Smile and enjoy every ride!

[rastuscat]

Sat & Sunday mornings are nice and quiet for getting out on the roads. Ride in the right hand wheel track of your lane (don't get pushed into the left one as cars will attempt to pass you when you least expect it).
Think ahead and keep your eyes moving, scan constantly.

Smile and enjoy every ride!

Totally agree . Own your lane, or someone else will own you.

[marmel]

If you know others that ride how about heading out with someone else for your first couple of trips?

[Rikard]

Hey man I've just got a new bike so still running the engine in. Would be happy to come out to pop some ks on it with you. PM me for my number.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Razoul]

Hey Koi,

I ride in Auckland myself been riding about a year still on my learner's at this stage.

First time i rode on the road with my 1st bike Honda cbr125 just to learn how ro handle a bike and manage traffic, i picked the bike up in Botany Downs and rode along motorway to Henderson probably not the best place to start but i just threw myself into traffic and learnt how to handle it fast.

My wife who has a learner's aswell learnt on the same bike she started on quiet roads at various times around our area then over a couple of weeks started to venture out into busier streets after about 4months she got a hyosung gt250r and now im riding a suzuki gsx650f.

Best thing to do is do what feels right for you start of in quiet roads if you must but eventually you will have to hit busy roads and motorways.

Best of luck

[Katman]

As cassina says, spend plenty of time riding in low pressure environments before tackling the pressures of busy streets.